Also new for 1987 and standard on all Legend models is a power-off window control function. After the car is stopped and the ignition turned off. the power windows can still be raised or lowered until a door is opened. If a window is left down, for instance, it can now be closed without turning the ignition key back on.

"The Legend is a driver's car," says Tom Elliott, senior vice president of automotive operations for American Honda. "It has quick acceleration, precise handling and sure. controlled braking. The Legend combines these performance characteristics with the style, luxury and quality appointments that discriminating consumers demand from their cars."

Drawing from Honda Motor Co.'s Formula 1 racing experience, the Legend's aluminum alloy, V-6 engine is light and compact. Programmed fuel injection, managed by a microprocessor, and the Legend's 4-valve per cylinder configuration contribute to the engine's output of 151 horsepower at 5800 RPM. Its 90-degree "V" angle and single overhead camshaft results in the compact outer dimensions required by the low hood line of the Legend's aerodynamic design.

Aerodynamics for the Legend have been refined by extensive Wind tunnel testing. Its clean, wedge shape, integrated front bumper, air dam, angled windshield and nearly flush body surfaces give the Legend an outstanding coefficient of drag (cd) of only 0.32.

Two transmissions are available in the 1987 Legend --a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission --and offer gear ratios tailored to the V -6 engine performance. The 4-speed automatic features a lock-up torque converter in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears that prevents power loss through slippage. The fully-synchronized 5-speed manual transmission is designed to deliver short crisp shift-lever throws and positive gear engagement

The 1987 Legend also features power assisted, speed sensitive steering. maximum assistance is delivered for low speed manuevering; at higher speeds, power assistance is reduced to provide positive road feel.

Interior design is simple and uncluttered. Seats are available in a high grade mocquette fabric or in supple gray leather. The front seats recline and are bolstered to provide lateral support; the driver's seat adjusts for thigh and lumbar support. A four-way electrically adjustable driver's seat is included in the luxury option package.

Thin roof pillars and large expanses of bronze tinted glass provide a panoramic 301 degree field of view. White on black analog gauges are large and easy to read. To minimize driver distractions, frequently used switches, such as cruise control and remote radio control, are located within a fingertip's reach of the steering wheel.

The Legend's stiff unit body was engineered using NASTRAN, the stress analysis computer program developed by NASA, which helped corroborate the body's structural integrity. A special painting method was developed for the Legend: a 4-coat, 4-bake process which cures each successive layer of paint at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. Conventionally, paint is baked at 180 degrees for 20 minutes. The Legend surface is baked at 140 degrees at 40 minutes, leading to a smoother, flatter surface.

Standard equipment on the Legend includes cruise control, speed sensitive power steering, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, AM/FM four-speaker stereo with 7-band graphic equalizer, dual diversity antenna system and cassette player. The front console is designed to accommodate a cellular telephone. A power sunroof is standard; although the Legend may be purchased without this feature.